It’s an exciting weekend ahead at KCLR Towers!
We have no fewer than Three Leinster Club Hurling Finals to prepare for across the weekend and you wont miss a trick with all the games covered.
Two of those three finals take place on Saturday with Carrickshock facing Celbridge in the Leinster Intermediate Final at 2pm in Newbridge, and at the same time Mooncoin play Ratoath in the Leinster Junior Final at Nowlan Park.
I was at the Mooncoin game against Plunkett’s and in fairness it was a game that they were never going to lose despite finishing the game with 13 men.
Conditions were poor on the day and the pitch at Nowlan Park was cutting up fierce, but despite all this Mooncoin were still in control end emerged comfortable winners.
Ratoath dispatched Rosenalis of Laois last weekend after extra time and will be looking to build on that momentum.
It will be a difficult ask though and the extra week’s break should stand to Mooncoin.
Eamon Hennebry has been causing havoc at Full Forward in recent games and he again will be the go to man on Saturday.
If Mooncoin get enough ball in to him then they should see off the Meath outfit.
Verdict: Mooncoin
Carrickshock got through a tricky assignment last time out with a hard fought win over Kiltale up in Trim.
Again it was a result that everyone felt they would get and the tough encounter will stand to them against a very good Celbridge side who have been the dominant side in Kildare in recent times.
In Gerry Keegan they have a player of real quality who would make most county teams.
But Carrickshock are a serious outfit, especially at this level and they are going to take some stopping.
It’s great to see Richie Power being able to contribute, albeit with some struggle and he still takes serious minding.
Michael Rice, Dalton, Tennnyson and Co are still flying it and Kevin Farrell is also going well.
This one could be a lot closer than people think, but I would still have my money on one team.
Verdict: Carrickshock
On Sunday then O’Loughlin Gaels travel to Portlaoise to take on Dublin champions Cuala in the Leinster Senior Hurling Final.
This for me is a game of real interest.
I saw O’Loughlin Gaels on county final day and watched the video of the win over Oulart The Ballagh the last day.
I was also in Netwatch Cullen park to watch Cuala’s win over St Mullins I have to say I was very impressed with the Dublin side.
The one thing we all knew about Cuala was their firepower and the Treacy’s, Mark Schutte, Con O’Callaghan and company proved that the last day.
However I was surprised at how organised and tight they were in defence with Paul Schutte, Cian O’Callaghan and Oisin Gough all very impressive.
The acid test arrives this Sunday though.
Martin Comerford is Hurling as good as ever, Mark Bergin is playing out of his skin and Mark Kelly, Danny Loughnane, Sammy Johnston and Alan Geogheghan are all capable match winners.
Sean Bolger is another great option off the bench.
Last years Leinster Final appearance will stand to Cuala and they should be a more settled side come Sunday.
A lot of people have a slight fancy for them, and that case is justified, but I don’t think O’Loughlin Gaels will slip up here.
Verdict: O’Loughlin Gaels
We Have Live Coverage Of All Three Games Across The Weekend
